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www.rockridge.org

VOL. 26      NO. 5      ISSUE NO. 278        May 7, 2011                       CIRCULATION: 5,500 Residences; 200 BusInesses

Sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council • 4123 Broadway, PMB 311 • Oakland, CA 94611 • 869-4200

☞

☞

RCPC Board of Directors Election Rescheduled to May

by Stuart Flashman, chair, RCPC
What would happen if they held an election
and nobody came? It’s an old joke, but
nobody laughed when it was discovered that for
the first time in RCPC’s 25-year history, there was
not the necessary quorum — at least 25 members
— to make the vote for board of directors valid.
Consequently, the election has been rescheduled
for the RCPC Town Hall meeting May 19, 7 p.m.,
at the Rockridge Branch Library.
If a quorum is present, there will also be ballot-
ing the following Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the library.
RCPC is offering two added incentives to attend the meet-
ing: First, there will be an update on the two Rockridge Safeway
projects (College Avenue and the Rockridge Shopping Center),
including an update on what’s happening with the CVS store.
Second, refreshments will be served. Please come and participate,
and be sure to bring a picture ID and/or utility bill as proof of
your Rockridge address.
Also, we offer our sincere apologies to all those RCPC mem-
bers who did show up to vote and participate at the April meeting.
Please come back for the May meeting and cast your vote again.
Lack of a quorum  scuttles
April board vote. Attend May
19 to hear the latest on Safeway
and to vote for RCPC board
member candidates.
RCPC Board of Directors
Seeks “New Blood”
Refreshments!
AGENDA: May RCPC Town Hall Meeting
19
■
■Board Elections: RCPC holds
election for board candidates.
Show your support for your
neighborhood organization.
■
■
Safeway Update: Updates on
the Rockridge Shopping Center
and College Avenue Safeway
Projects. Details below.
by Stuart Flashman, RCPC chair
No, we’re not vampires, but
RCPC is looking for two new
members for its board of directors.
While six current board members
are up for re-election this month,
there are also two vacancies in seats
not up for election. Service on the
■
■Oakland Planner Darin Ranel-
letti (invited) explains how Oakland will
process Safeway’s Rockridge Shopping
Center redevelopment proposal. Help
shape RCPC’s response. Also: • College
Avenue Safeway; • CVS store closure.
■
■Voting for RCPC board members has been reset for
this May Town Hall. Rockridge residents may vote at this
meeting or on Saturday, May 21, at the Rockridge Branch
library between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., but a quorum of at least
25 residents must vote or sign in at the Town Hall. Residents
will need to verify their address. See story above.

Thursday, May 19  |  7-9 p.m.  Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Avenue at Manila

➧➧Board: New Blood, page 6
Note start
time ☞
Coming: Rockridge Plaza
yyAndrea and Tiffany near
Redondo Park
yyCub Scout Pack 274, Greg
Feist, leader: Oscar; Evan;
Lucas; Alexsandro (r).
yyBill and Claudette Acca-
cian, grandchildren Logan
and Spencer
yyMore pictures, page 13
Earth Day and Family Fest
Perk up Frog Park for Spring
by Theresa Nelson, FROG chair
A
beautiful, sunny Earth Day saw a record turnout at Frog Park for a
morning cleanup and a fun Frog Family Fest in the afternoon. More
than 100 volunteers — adults and children — joined in to clean the park,
play structures, the creek, and pathway and planted areas. When children
see adults volunteering for an Earth Day cleanup, they see adults as role
models making the effort to steward the Earth and community resources. A
huge amount of work was accomplished, thanks to Rockridge and Temes-
cal neighbors and friends. For more
D. Kinkead
Makeover for BART Area at Keith and College
Designer Greer Alley, left, Market Hall owner Sara
Wilson, RCPC boardmember Ann Winterman, and
BART board President Bob Franklin present the
BART Plaza proposal at the April RCPC Town Hall.
Story on page 10.
➧➧Earth Day at FROG Park, page 12


May 7, 2011
2.

Oakland in Budget Solution Quandary,
Mayor Tells North Oakland Meeting
ROCKRIDGE BRANCH LIBRARY
5366 College Avenue
597-5017
HOURS:
Mon, Tues:
Weds, Thurs, Sat:
Friday:
Sunday:
Library program details: See Calendar, page 15.
by Chuck Afflerbach, Rockridge resident
Mayor Jean Quan came to North Oak-
land for her first town hall meeting,
and her message could not have been
clearer: there’s a new mayor in town and
things are going to be different.
“We’re trying to reorganize government
to make it closer to the community, to make
it more transparent, and to get you involved,”
Quan told 300 Oakland residents at the
North Oakland Senior Center Saturday
morning, April 2. True to her word, she
put the audience to work helping to solve
the problems facing the city.
But first came the introductions. Joining
the mayor at the meeting were District 1
City Councilmember Jane Brunner, School
Board Vice President Jodi London, Police
Chief Anthony Batts, and a dozen more
department heads and managers from
City Hall.
After a pep talk on why Oaklanders
love their city, the Mayor got to the root
of all problems: money, or the lack of it.
“This is clearly a budget situation that is
the worst Jane and I have faced,” Quan
said. “We’ve been cutting and cutting and
there’s not much left to cut.”
Councilmember Brunner echoed her
concern, emphasizing that the general fund
for the coming year will be $90 million less
than the past four years. “We have done
a lot of one-time fixes. We are not going
to be able to do one-time fixes anymore.”
Quan briefly outlined her budget plan
with the warning that “we’re going to be
asking everyone to sacrifice.” Voters will
again be asked to pass a new parcel tax,
after rejecting one last November. City
employees will see more salary cuts and
more layoffs. The mayor’s hope is that
the city will weather the recession and be
poised to bounce back. “We’re big enough
to do great and interesting things but small
enough to talk to each other,” she said.
Then that talking to each other began.
Residents were asked to join one of eight
different “breakout” groups to discuss
issues including public safety, jobs, traffic,
schools, and the Caldecott Tunnel’s fourth
bore. After a half-hour discussion, each
group presented its ideas to the town hall
meeting. These proposals were collected by
the mayor’s staff for future consideration.
The District 1 meeting was the third
of seven town hall meetings scheduled
across Oakland this spring. Mayor Quan
has pledged to hold a town hall meeting
in each district each year.
Word is out that Oakland has a new
mayor and she’s not hard to find.
The meeting can be viewed in five parts on
the Mayor’s YouTube channel at: http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfeBeBAWLFc,
the first video in the series. The video series
apparently omits the mayor’s Q&A with
audience members and her closing com-
ments. In her wrap-up, she made four
points:
12:30 – 8 p.m.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
12 – 5:30 p.m.
CLOSED
CLOSED: Sundays and Mondays. Also, Tuesday, May 31.
The Rockridge News, founded in 1986 by Don Kinkead,
is published monthly in Oakland and is sponsored by
the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC),
a nonprofit public benefit organization founded to:
preserve and enhance the unique character of the
Rockridge neighborhood; promote the health, safety
and quality of life of its residents; furnish a forum for
community involvement, and provide leadership and
representation of neighborhood interests.
Rockridge News Production
Don Kinkead	�����������������������Editor
Ortrun Niesar.....................The Muse
Barry Kaufman	�������������������Food
Jo Ellis	�����������������������������������Advertising &
Community Calendar
Theresa Nelson	��������������������Neighborhood Merchant
Susan Montauk	�������������������Business Manager
Don Kinkead	�����������������������Graphics & Layout
RCPC Board of Directors, 2010-2011
Stuart Flashman	�����������������Chair
Andrew Charman	���������������Vice-Chair
Michael Kan	������������������������Secretary
Cesar Angobaldo	���������������Treasurer
Annette Floystrup, Ashley Etling, Jonathan Gabel,
William Kaufner, Don Kinkead, Alex Naughton,
Ronnie Spitzer, Ann Winterman
Contact the Board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
■
■City workers will face furloughs,
pension cuts, and increased health
care costs.
Newsletter Subscriptions
■
■City programs will be cut and the
community will get less in services.
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send
your check for $20, payable to Rockridge News
Subscriptions, to: Rockridge News Subscriptions at
the address below.
■
■City government will have to be
restructured and some departments
eliminated.
Contacting The Rockridge News
	 Are there community issues you’d like to see
covered in The Rockridge News?
	 Do you have questions about newsletter
distribution?
	 Want to volunteer to be a Rockridge News
block captain?
	 Would you like to write a letter to the Editor?
Contact us at one of the following:
Editor: editor@rockridge.org
www.rockridge.org
The Rockridge News, 4123 Broadway, PMB 311,
Oakland, CA 94611
RCPC Voice-mail: 510/869-4200
■
■Because voters rejected a previously
proposed $360 parcel tax, Oakland
residents can expect a new parcel
tax proposal in the $80 range.
Articles submitted for publication may be e-mailed
to the above address. Submissions are limited to
600 words; must include the author’s name, phone
number, e-mail address, and city or neighborhood
of residence; and are subject to editing. To reprint a
Rockridge News article, please contact the editor.
$5 FREE DRYCLEANING with garment orders over $28
or $3 OFF orders over $15
Dry Cleaning only  Present with incoming order
Garden Cleaners
5808 College Avenue, Oakland
601-1188
Mon – Fri  7 – 7 • Sat  8 – 6
Across from Trader Joe’s and Zachary’s Pizza
Newsletter Advertising/Deadlines
Publication date of the next issue is
 June 4, 2011
 June deadline is May 19, 2011.
Advertising rates are $26/column inch. Six-
month pre-pay rate available. For display ads,
call Jo Ellis at 653-3210 (after noon), or e-mail
joellis1@hotmail.com. RCPC reserves the right to
refuse any display or classified ad that it deems
inappropriate. (Classified ad contact, page 14.)
EXPERT
SHIRT
LAUNDERING!


May 7, 2011

3.

The RCPC Land Use Committee meets the fourth Wednesday of the month
at the Rockridge Branch Library, Upstairs Meeting Room, 7:30 p.m. Next
meeting: May 25. Subject to change. Check www.rockridge.org for meeting updates.

Land Use Meeting Agendas: Contact Stuart Flashman at 652-5373 or chair@rockridge.
org for a copy of the current Land Use Committee meeting agenda.

the store, at least temporarily. Does this
mean there’s a possibility that Safeway
has had a change of heart about kicking
CVS out? Don’t count on it. More likely,
it just indicates they’ve realized they won’t
have a project approved any time soon, and
don’t want to leave the store sitting vacant.
Still, one can hope. If you want to write to
Safeway about this, the address is:
oaklandnet.com), the planner assigned to
the Rockridge Shopping Center project,
now says that the DEIR for that project can
be expected, perhaps, some time in June.
Once released, there will be a 45-day public
review and comment period, including a
public hearing before the Planning Com-
mission. That meeting will not, however, be
when the Commission considers whether
to approve the project. That won’t happen
until all of the comments on the DEIR have
been responded to in writing and the Plan-
ning Commission has decided whether to
certify the Final EIR as adequate. Bottom
line: don’t expect this project to come up
for possible approval until some time in the
fall. At that point, the Planning Commis-
sion may look a bit different. Doug Boxer
and Vince Gibbs have left the commission,
giving Mayor Quan two appointments to
the commission. In the meantime, RCPC
and other community groups will continue
trying to convince Safeway that a better
project would, in the long run, be in every-
one’s best interest.
On a related note, Safeway has extended
the lease for the CVS store until December.
The store had already begun closing down
departments and emptying out shelving
areas. Now, it appears they will restock
Land Use Update
by Stuart Flashman, RCPC Land Use
Committee chair
■
■Rockridge Shopping Center
Reconstruction Project (Corner
of Broadway and Pleasant Valley)
■
■College Avenue Safeway
Shopping Center (Corner of
College and Claremont Avenues)
As reported in last month’s Land Use
Committee Update, the Draft Envi-
ronmental Impacts Reports (DEIRs) for
these two large and important projects have
again been delayed.
David Zylstra, Chief Operating Officer
Property Development Centers
5918 Stoneridge Mall Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588-3229
Concerning the College Avenue Safeway
store project, it looks like Peterson
Vollman, (pvollman@oaklandnet.com,
238-6167), the planner handling the project,
hasn’t met his goal of having the DEIR for
that project released in April. As of press
time, there’s no word back from him about
when to expect public release of the DEIR.
Both of these projects can be expected to
have multiple impacts on Rockridge, rang-
ing from traffic, to air and water quality,
to overall quality of life. RCPC expects to
be involved in commenting on both EIRs,
and encourages Rockridge residents to
participate in the public review process.
Look for future updates on both projects
on the RCPC website, http://rockridge.org.
Darin Ranelletti (238-3663, DRanelletti@
The Zoning Counter
The Zoning Counter is a compilation
of recent applications filed with the
Oakland Planning Department. Individuals
may contact the case planner or the Planning
Department for additional information by
phone or online at http://www2.oaklandnet.
com/Government/o/CEDA/o/PlanningZoning/s/
Application/index.htm.
5337 College Avenue
Proposal: Minor Conditional Use Permit to
operate a Limited Service Restaurant and Cafe.
Applicant/ Scott Cameron
Phone Number: 925/260-4165
Planning Permits Required: Minor Conditional
Use Permit to operate a Limited Service
Restaurant and Cafe Activity in the C-31 Special
Retail Commercial Zone
Case Planner: Mike Rivera at 510/238-6417 or
mrivera@oaklandnet.com
R
ockridge resident and CVS
shopper Joan C. is pleased to
learn that the much-loved store will
continue in business at the Safeway
Shopping Center, at least through
December, 2011, rather than closing
soon. “This store is a real community
resource,” she said.
6129 Hillegass Avenue
Proposal: Create a new driveway and parking
space to serve an existing single-family dwelling
which currently does not have on-site parking.
Applicant/ Emma and Andrew Armstrong
Phone Number: 415/810-7253
Owner: Emma and Andrew Armstrong
Planning Permits Required: Minor Variance for
less than 10 feet of separation between the
proposed driveway and an existing driveway
located on a neighboring lot
Historic Status: Potential Designated Historic
Property, Survey Rating Dc2+
Case Planner: Leigh McCullen at 510/238-4977
or lmccullen@oaklandnet.com
D. Kinkead
COLLINS ROOFING
Family Owned & Operated
482-2227  Seamus
www.collinsroofing.com
Quality Work  •  Free Estimates
Lic # 695711


May 7, 2011
4.

Last Call for Kitchens for RCPC Tour!
t
Cs
a
a
l
Ll
.
by Natalie Mehta, RCPC Kitchen Tour
In preparation for this fall’s Rockridge
Kitchen Tour, set for October 2, the
planning committee has been visiting
many neighborhood kitchens and has
been truly impressed by the creativity and
craftsmanship of these Rockridge gems.
As we are in the final weeks of meet-
ing with candidates before selections are
made at the end of May, we are putting
out the “last call” for candidates. If you,
or someone you know, is putting the final
touches on a kitchen remodel, or is already
enjoying a completed renovation, please
let us know.
Past tours have featured a variety of
styles including bungalow, traditional,
and contemporary. Submissions may be
directed to Natalie Mehta at 415/279-5148,
or Natalie.mehta@yahoo.com.
.
O F  R O C K R I D G E  K I T C H E N S
A  T A S T E F U L  T O U R
.
Rockridge
Kitchens
Sunday,
October 2,
.
s
.
P L A N N I N G  C O U N C I L
ROCKRIDGE COMMUNIT Y
n
.
f
e
o
h
r
c
Kt
2011
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T
New: A Rockridge News Series
Sound Facts About
Soundwalls
by Andrew Charman, chair, RCPC
Transportation Committee
Engineering studies for possible sound-
walls along parts of SR-24 in the
Rockridge area have been included on
the final list of the Caldecott Fourth Bore
Settlement projects. [See article and list
on page 5.] The subject of soundwalls
in Rockridge has a long history, and has
generated much discussion and many ques-
tions over the years. To determine whether
these sound wall projects will continue to
move forward, residents of affected parts of
Rockridge will be polled for their opinions.
To help inform community discussion,
the Rockridge Community Planning Coun-
cil (RCPC) board is starting an outreach
and educational initiative centered around
a series of articles in The Rockridge News.
The group will also organize community
meetings for further discussion. RCPC seeks
to provide a context for — and accurate
information about — the characteristics,
performance, and costs and benefits of
soundwalls, before any residents are asked
to make binding decisions about whether
the walls should or should not be installed.
These articles will explore topics rel-
evant to noise pollution and its mitigation
including: tutorials on sound and hearing;
noise and its measurement; socioeconomic,
psychological, and physiological effects of
noise; surface traffic and traffic noise; local,
state, federal, and international guidelines
for regulating noise; noise control, suppres-
sion, and mitigation; what soundwalls do
and do not do, and how they do it; what
soundwalls might look like, and what they
D. Kinkead

The serenity of the concrete forms supporting the freeway belies the often
intrusive whines, hums and honks from the constant stream of traffic above.
Oakland’s Fourth Bore Settlement Agreement provides funding for studies to
determine if and how soundwalls in particular locations in Rockridge will help
to lessen the effects of traffic sounds. RCPC will present a series of articles to
examine soundwalls and sound effects. (See story, page 5, about the financial settlement.)

might cost; a brief history of soundwall
issues in Rockridge; and a description of the
soundwall public process moving forward.
The articles will be edited and abridged
for publication in The Rockridge News in
subsequent months. Fuller and somewhat
more technical versions will be posted as
fact sheets on the RCPC website for read-
ers’ further review.
We will try to address your concerns in
this series. If you have any specific ques-
tions or comments about soundwalls or
noise pollution, please contact the RCPC
board via info@rockridge.org or The
Rockridge News via editor@rockridge.org.
17th Annual
a
cross-cultural congregation
striving to partner with
         the Rockridge community
   in lifestyle and service.
Energizer station at Rockridge BART
7-9 a.m., sponsored by
Hank & Frank’s Bicycles
www.ebbc.org/btwd
College Avenue Presbyterian Church
5951 College Avenue, Oakland  510 658-3665
Sunday worShip 10:30 aM • Visit: capcchurch.org
our wonderful community meal, fridays, 6-7pm
a great opportunity to serVe


May 7, 2011

5.

Caldecott Settlement Project List Posted: Soundwall Studies,
Intersections, Bicycle Facilities, More, Proposed for Funding

Submitted by Fourth Bore Coalition
The final list of projects to be funded
through the city of Oakland’s $8 mil-
lion Settlement Agreement with Caltrans
over the Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore
EIR was released March 23. These projects
are intended to ameliorate the impacts to
the North Oakland Hills, Rockridge and
Temescal districts of adding the fourth
bore to the Caldecott Tunnel. According
to the agreement, projects must “have as
their primary purpose the improvement of
pedestrian, bicycle, transit and local street
improvements, noise barriers, including
projects that support the use of transit (and
the reduction of single-occupant motorized
vehicles, such as transit signal coordination
and amenities), to the greater community in
the Highway 24 corridor between I-580 and
the Caldecott Tunnel.”
Public Input in Creating the List
The project list has been finalized through
a series of three 3-hour-long walking tours of
affected areas, considering over 250 public
comments, and a public meeting held in
November, 2010.
More details on the intent and concep-
tual design of these projects are available
at http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16069359/Oak-
land-Caldecott/Caldecott%20project%20
fact%20sheets_03-14-11.pdf. The project
cost estimates include a budget for public
involvement in project design decisions.
Next Steps
An agreement with the Alameda County
Transportation Commission and Caltrans
must be signed with the city regarding
funding and the list of projects. While this
process is underway, each project will be
evaluated to determine if more design work is
needed prior to further community meetings,
or vice-versa. The city intends to begin by
focusing on the first six projects on the list.
Once the design of those projects and
pre-construction work is underway, the
community will be asked to participate in
the development of projects farther down
the list. You will be directly notified of
opportunities to participate in the design
of these projects.
In addition, the Fourth Bore Coalition
will continue to track this process at www.
fourthbore.org, as will the RCPC at www.
rockridge.org.
All material in this report, and additional infor-
mation, is available at http://www.fourthbore.org/
featured/oakland-settlement-final-project-list/
A Note About the
Project List and
Cut-Off Points
Pending further project design details,
the list currently funds the projects
numbered 1 through 21. That funding
cut-off line could move up or down as
more project details are developed.
— Stuart Flashman, RCPC chair
Project Number and Name
Est. Cost
1 Tunnel Road/SR 13/Hiller Drive
Intersection Improvements
$950,000
Project Number and Name
Est. Cost
Project Number and Name
Est. Cost
30 Telegraph/Aileen/SR 24 Off-ramp
Intersection Improvements
$113,000
17 52nd/51st/SR 24 ramps/Shattuck
Intersection Improvements
$635,000
2 Pedestrian Facilities on Caldecott
Lane/Tunnel Road
$650,000
31 Soundwall study: Eastbound
between 52nd Street and Claremont
Avenue
$289,000
18 Soundwall study: Westbound
between Patton Street and Ross
Street
$179,000
3 Bicycle Facilities on Caldecott
Lane/Tunnel Road
$290,000
19 Alternatives’ Analysis of Lake
Temescal - Tunnel Rd Bike/ped con-
nections
$200,000
32 Soundwall study: Eastbound
between Golden Gate Ave. and Lake
Temescal
$536,000
4 Caldecott Lane/Kay overcrossing
Intersection Improvements
$400,000
5 Bike facilities on Broadway from
Brookside Avenue to Kay OC
$410,000
20 College/Miles Intersection
Improvements
$160,000
33 Soundwall study: Westbound
between M.L.K. Jr. Way on-ramp
and 40th St
$304,000
6 Jogging/walking path on Broadway
from Golden Gate to Lake Temescal
$275,000
21 Claremont/Hudson/SR 24
On-ramp Intersection Improvements
$180,000
34 Soundwall study: Westbound
between Golden Gate Avenue and
Patton St
$231,000
7 Soundwall study: Eastbound
between Vicente Way and Broadway
$554,000
22 College/Manila intersection
improvements
$200,000
8 Soundwall study: Westbound
between Ross Street and Telegraph
Avenue
$628,000
35 AC Transit Route 51 Service
Improvement
$920,000
23 Pedestrian Scale Lighting on
Telegraph from 42nd Street to
Berkeley border
$240,000
36 Telegraph/Claremont/52nd
Intersection Improvements
$240,000
9 Broadway/Keith Intersection
Improvements*
$840,000
24 Soundwall study: Eastbound
between 40th and 52nd Streets
$425,000
10 College/Keith Intersection
Improvements
$235,000
37 Bicycle and Pedestrian Park Rest
Stop
$192,000
25 Soundwall study: Westbound bet.
Telegraph Ave. and M.L.K. Jr Way
$306,000
11 Bike Route Signage at Rockridge
BART
$20,000
* Projects #9, 12 and 13 will be designed together.
26 Telegraph/56th/Eastbound SR 24
On-ramp Intersection Improvements
$230,000
12 Broadway/Lawton Intersection
Improvements*
$400,000
27 Soundwall study: Eastbound
between Broadway and Golden Gate
Avenue
$312,000
13 Broadway/Ocean View intersec-
tion improvements*
$400,000
14 Broadway/Brookside/SR 24 On-
ramp Intersection Improvements
$295,000
28 College/Claremont Intersection
Improvements
$225,000
15 Rockridge BART Bicycle Parking
$100,000
16 On-street Bicycle Parking in
Commercial Areas
$30,000
29 Broadway/Manila Intersection
Improvements
$257,000


May 7, 2011
6.

from page 1
Water Still Runs Deep

Board: New Blood
by Don Kinkead, editor
Not so long ago, before there was
Rockridge, before there was Oakland,
even before there was the East Bay, there was
open land from the hills to the Bay. Covered
with grasses and trees, the land was home
to a network of creeks and streams draining
rainwater runoff from the hills, nourishing
plants, animals and the people that lived
here then, as the water moved on to the Bay.
Time passed, cities grew and most
creeks were buried deep underground in
big culverts that could still drain the water
to the Bay, but that could be covered over to
make flat land for buildings. And it wasn’t
so long ago: The Oakland Library’s history
room has a photograph from the late 1800s
showing a wooden bridge over a creek run-
ning through what is now the intersection of
Telegraph Avenue and 52nd Street. (Some
of the buildings in that photo still stand on
Telegraph today.)
Nowadays, except for sections still open
to the sky, creeks are largely out of sight,
but there are efforts to keep them flowing
in the collective memory. One such project
was discovered in mid-April when bemused
passersby noticed five irregularly shaped
cast bronze disks depicting scenes of water
plants and animals set in the sidewalk next
to Oliveto Café, facing Shafter Avenue.
The word “Temescal” was stamped in the
concrete next to the disks.
According to information e-mailed to
The Rockridge News by Kristin Hathaway,
an Oakland watershed program specialist,
this is a city public art project, funded by
Measure DD Creek Restoration and Lake
Merritt Water Quality funds.
“This project is located in five different
watersheds throughout the City,” she wrote,
“one of which is the Temescal Creek Water-
shed. These markers in front of Oliveto are
board is not very onerous, but does require
attending one three-hour board meeting a
month, plus attendance at monthly Town
Hall meetings and service on at least one
RCPC committee.
One of the vacant seats is the board’s
traditional “merchant” seat. That seat is the
only voting seat not restricted to Rockridge
residents. It is filled by board appointment,
for up to a one-year term. The appointee is
ordinarily an owner of a business or com-
mercial property within Rockridge, with
preference given to retail merchants along
College Avenue.
The other open seat would also be a
one-year appointment, but to a seat that will
be up for election in 2012. It is open to any
adult living within the RCPC boundaries.
(See our website at http://rockridge.org
for a map.)
If you’d like to help keep Rockridge
alive and well, and have a chance to pro-
vide direction to RCPC’s many programs
and projects, please submit a letter of
interest. Include your address and contact
information and a short statement about
your background and why you would like
to be appointed to the board. Letters may
be sent via e-mail to chair@rockridge.org
or via regular mail to RCPC, PMB 311,
4123 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611. The
deadline for applications is May 31, 2011.
D. Kinkead
Shielding her eyes from the afternoon
sun, a pedestrian approaches the
Temescal Watershed sidewalk art
installation at Shafter and College
avenues.
located over a former branch of Temescal
Creek. Each of the sites is marked with
the name of the watershed in which it is
located to draw attention to the fact that
these culverts/buried creeks are part of a
larger watershed system.”
Kristin Zaremba, public art project man-
ager for Oakland, e-mailed that the artworks
were created by the artist team Wowhaus,
Scott Constable and Ene Osteraas-Constable,
after a city-wide community outreach for
ideas and feedback “from a variety of
residents before commencing their designs.”
However, a Rockridge resident with expe-
rience in public projects, felt the reported
outreach missed the Rockridge community.
Zaremba wrote that the owners of Oliveto
were contacted about the project; Market
Hall owner Sara Wilson said she was not
contacted for comment or review.
Visit oaklandcreeks.org for more infor-
mation and links to creek and watershed sites..
Rockridge: 5400 College Avenue
Elmwood: 2930 College Avenue
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May 7, 2011

7.

FROG Restroom Construction Underway

by Theresa Nelson, FROG Chair
Work on the new Frog Park restroom is
moving ahead, now that sunnier skies
are here. “It is wonderful to finally see this
project come to fruition,” said FROG com-
mittee member Mike McDonald.
Before the 2001 Big Build at the park was
even finished, people began talking about
the need for a restroom. FROG committed
to leave a Porta-Potty on-site as an interim
solution, though no one realized it would be
a 10-year interim solution.
After Phase Two of the park opened in
2006, Mike McDonald and Christie Beeman
began to work on restroom options. As Mike
noted, “A proper restroom for the park was
simply necessary given the overwhelming
popularity and use we were seeing at the
park. On any given day, you would see moms
and dads toting youngsters and knocking on
neighbors’ doors asking to use their rest-
rooms, or little ones squatting behind trees.”
Mike and Christie worked with Coun-
cilmember Jane Brunner to secure funding
for a permanent restroom. Jennifer Cooper
became involved, and continued to work to
secure the location and general design on the
project while Mike was living temporarily
outside the neighborhood. Ronnie Spitzer
also worked on the final restroom phases.
We appreciate the help of Councilmem-
ber Brunner’s staff members Kate Whitlow,
instrumental in getting funding, and Nila
Kim for her major work getting CalTrans
to approve the current location and working
with other city staff, including Jim Ryugo
of Public Works, on the project. Zac Wald,
Brunner’s chief of staff, played an important
role keeping the project moving forward over
the past five years.
The restroom is expected to open in early
summer; more details will be published in
the Rockridge News and on the Frog Park
website, www.frogpark.org.
Our thanks to Mike McDonald, Jennifer
Cooper, Ronnie Spitzer and Christie Beeman
for their dedication and persistence in making
the new restroom a reality.
D. Kinkead
Ronnie Spitzer, left, Mike McDonald
and Theresa Nelson at the construction
site of the new Frog Park restroom.
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May 7, 2011
8.

Reader Survey Results: The Rockridge News
To mark the 25th year of its publication, The Rockridge News
surveyed its readers to learn which subjects covered by the
newsletter were most important to them. Forty-three responded to
the online survey and eight mailed in survey forms clipped from
the newsletter. Readers were also asked for their thoughts on topics
that should either be included or be left out, and were invited to
make general comments, as well.
Advertisements in the newsletter offer an important resource
to readers seeking particular services provided close to home, and
fund newsletter production costs. Readers were asked to give their

opinions on the quantity of advertising in the newsletter. Most
respondents felt the present amount to be sufficient.
The survey questions and results are below, with responses
arranged in order of frequency. With 51 responses out of more than
5,000 expected readers, the results cannot be said with any certainty
to reflect the wider readership. Perhaps the results do not even reflect
your views about the newsletter. If you feel differently — or to add
your view to those below— tell the editor. E-mail editor@rockridge.
org or take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92NP3T8.
Thanks to all for participating.                 — Don Kinkead, editor
1.  Are you a regular reader of
The Rockridge News?
events.”
5.  What do you think of the proportion
of display advertising to print content?
	 45	About right
	 	 2	 Too many ads
	 	 1	 Not enough ads
	 ✓	 “More content, fewer commercial
ads. It seems like the ads are getting
BIGGER. How about small and medium
sizes for commercial ads? (Too many
realtor ads!) More space for RN classified.
OK to have the back page for commercial
ads.”
6.  What would you like to see MORE of
in the newsletter?
	 ✓	 “Personal stories of residents”
	 ✓	 “Bike commuting ideas. Police
activities and crime watch. Traffic and car
issues. City-wide and council activities.”
	 ✓	 “Neighbor profiles: who are the
people living in the neighborhood? What
do they do? What do they like most about
Rockridge, etc….”
	 ✓	 “Crime reports, maybe more
letters to the Editor. More Neighborhood
Merchant columns.”
7.	What would you like to see
LESS of?
	 ✓	 “Cranky stories by old people
complaining about how things are
changing, how loud it is in the city, why it
is not as good as the ‘old days,’ etc.”
	 ✓	 “Local residents being so over
reactionary about businesses wanting to
come into Rockridge.”
	 ✓	 “Less demonizing any organization -
CalTrans, BART, or employer like Dreyer’s,
Safeway. These are our neighbors just as
much as Yasai, La Farine, or Cole Coffee.”
	 ✓	 “RCPC posturing as being
representative of Rockridge. You’re not –
not even close.”
8.  Additional Comments:
	 ✓	 “Thank you for producing
this useful publication that helps our
community!”
✓	 “I enjoy reading a local-focused
publication, and look forward to each
issue. Thanks for your work.”
	 ✓	 “Thank you for a great paper. I read
it cover to cover.”
48	Yes
	 	 2	 No
2.  How do you get the newsletter?
	 46	Delivered to my home
	 	 3	 College Avenue merchant
	 	 1	 College Avenue coffee shop
	 	 1	 Read it online at rockridge.org
	 	 1	 Read it at the Rockridge library
	 	 0	 Subscription delivered by mail
3.  Which features do you read most
often?
	 43	Land Use Committee report
	 43	Letters to the editor
	 30	Community Calendar
	 27	The Neighborhood Merchant
	 23	Classified ads
	 23	The Rockridge Muse
	 22	Rockridge Cornucopia
	 15	FROG Park reports
4.  What local news topics do you look
for in each issue?
	 43	Local building projects
	 42	Planning and Zoning
	 34	City Council decisions
	 33	Traffic issues
	 31	Local restaurants
	 30	Local arts, entertainment
	 30	Transportation
	 27	Mixture of local businesses
	 27	Pedestrian safety
	 25	Merchant/Business affairs
	 24	Parks
	 22	Rockridge Branch library
	 21	City budget
	 21	Food
	 18	Local schools
	 17	Education issues
Remarks:
	 ✓ “I would like to see a city-wide per-
spective with Rockridge shown as a part
of Oakland, not an island.”
	 ✓	 “I am interested in urban farming
and animal husbandry.”
	 ✓	 “I want to see more about special
Respondents by street name and
hundred block number. Not all
respondents provided this information.
Street
Hundred Block
61st Street
45x
62nd Street
34x, 36x
63rd Street
30x, 36x
Armanino Court
[No entry]
Avon
41x, 43x
Ayala
59xx
Benvenue Ave
64xx
Boyd
52xx
Broadway
59xx
Bryant
53xx
Chabot
64xx
Claremont
54xx
Clifton
32x, 36x
Colby
60xx, 62xx, 64xx
Contra Costa Road
62xx
Florio Street
63xx
Forest Street
32x
Harwood Avenue
61xx
Hemphill
31x
Hudson Street
46x, 44x
Kales
54xx
Keith
56xx
Lawton
53xx
Locksley Avenue
53xx
Manor Crest
67xx
Mendocino
58xx
Miles Ave
56xx
Oak Grove
56xx
Ocean View Drive
56xx
Presley Way
58xx
Rockwell Street
60xx
Ross Street
58xx
S. Rockridge Blvd
61xx
Shafter Avenue
54xx
Taft
55xx, 55xx, 59xx
Thomas
53xx


May 7, 2011

9.

From Rockridge
to Cairo
and Back
was restored, phones were chiming
around the clock. Many of my friends
were journalists and were reporting to
various news agencies.
I went to the square from morning ’til
about midnight. Some of my friends spent
the nights there as well. The square was
amazing. Everyone was represented and the
participation of women was spectacular.
We all shared the space, the food and
the water. People whose apartments
overlooked the square provided venues
for the press, toilets, and electrical
outlets for the protestors. We all felt
like part of a big family.
The
Rockridge
 Muse
10 Days in Tahrir Square
by Noha Radwan,
Rockridge resident
I
was cooking dinner in our new Rockridge
house when the early stirrings of the
Egyptian revolution reached me via the
Internet. I followed closely. On January
25, I saw the footage of young Egyptian
men and women taking to the streets in
the city where I was born and raised.
They were demanding an end to a brutal,
oppressive and corrupt regime that had
been led by Mubarak for 30 years. Facing
a brutal riot police that tried to stop
them with water guns, shotguns, rubber
bullets and finally live ammunition, they
seemed unstoppable. The following day,
I decided to leave for Cairo. I flew from
SFO to Heathrow, only to discover that
my London-Cairo flight was cancelled.
Telephone communication was almost
non-existent. When I finally got through
to my parents, they told me to go back
to California, that it was too dangerous
for me to be there.
I arrived in Cairo on the morning
of Saturday January 29. By then the
Submitted by Ortrun Niesar
revolution was well underway. I knew
that all of you were watching. The whole
world was watching. In San Francisco that
weekend, the solidarity demonstration
was almost 4,000 people strong. I could
not follow it but I knew that my daughter
was there too.
I joined the Tahrir Square protests
for a total of 10 days. I only saw my
parents on the first and last of these
days. Traveling around the city was limited
by curfew that began at 4 p.m. I stayed
with a friend who lived only a few blocks
away from the square. Her apartment had
become “Revolution Central,” housing
10-15 women who were always coming
in and out for showers, food and a
few hours of sleep. The television was
turned to al-Jazeera at all times of day
and night, and once cell phone service
A Mob Attack
On February 2, I gave a live interview
to “Democracy Now” in New York,
and told them that Mubarak’s regime
is bringing out paid mobs to support
it. When I left the studio, I found out
the hard way that the mobs were doing
more than stage a show of support.
They were attacking the journalists and
the protestors. I could not return to
Tahrir Square that Wednesday afternoon
because I was assaulted on the way and
ended up in a nearby hospital.
I went back the next day and again
on Friday. The protestors named Friday,
February 4, the “Friday of Departure.”
They had high hopes that Mubarak would
step down by the end of the day. He
did not. They vowed to continue, but
unfortunately I had to leave and return
to my job at UC Davis.
I thought that Egyptians were in for
the long haul, but it was on the morning
of Friday, February 11 (PST), only a few
days after I had returned, that I heard
the news on NPR: Egypt’s president of
30 years had finally surrendered to the
will of the people.
For 18 days, united and steadfast,
Egyptian men and women, Muslims and
Christians of all age groups and political
orientation, staged a non-violent protest.
And on February 11, they gave us all an
Egyptian gift: a renewal of our faith in the
ability of non-violent protests to change
the course of history. Now I am back in
Oakland, watching my people take their
first baby steps toward democracy and
social justice.
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May 7, 2011
10.

Plans for Rockridge BART Plaza on Track

Shopping? Find it in Oakland!
by Don Kinkead, editor
Creating attractive and useful public space
is never easily or quickly done. Eight
years after RCPC first proposed improve-
ments to the area outside the BART station
area at Keith and College avenues, an approved
redesign of the space is in hand and closer
than ever to becoming a reality.
Residents attending the RCPC April Town
Hall got an early peek at the most current
development plans for the area to be known as
BART Plaza. Seen as a destination for BART
passengers and College Avenue strollers and
shoppers, the area’s design is keyed on the
Rockridge name. A variegated line of large
stones  — “A ridge of rock,” said volunteer
designer and Rockridge resident Greer Alley
— capped by brawny metal letters spelling
the well-known area’s name, will be on
the College Avenue side of the plaza area.
On the other side, a serpentined concrete
bench generally facing Keith Avenue will
be positioned to receive as much sunlight
as possible. Native grasses and ferns planted
at the bases of the existing redwoods will
replace the current blanket of ivy.
Public art is also included in the design
features. A bronze compass rose set into the
sidewalk is planned to be the initial piece to
emphasize the sense of location and travel.
It will be oriented to areas of interest near
and far.
An eight-year-long project is bound to
move in fits and starts; this one is no excep-
tion. Still, as people interested in the project
came and went, it stayed alive, gathering the
support of the Rockridge District Association
(RDA), the city of Oakland, and BART itself.
One meeting attendee was concerned
this latest iteration of the plans was devel-
oped without sufficient public participation.
Another person, recently learning of the
project, said she found it a successful design.
Project presenters Greer Alley, Bob
Franklin of BART, Sara Wilson of Market
Hall and RDA, and Ann Winterman of RCPC
said money for the project and approval for
the plans are in place. Franklin, a Rockridge
resident and an early project supporter,
obtained BART support and funding. Coun-
cilmember Jane Brunner’s office developed
city funding and RDA, with the support of
Sara Wilson of Market Hall, spearheaded
merchant money donations and support. In
addition to the effort, time and support of
board members through the years, RCPC
has also donated funds.
The presenters said invitations for bids
will be issued soon.
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May 7, 2011

11.

Text and Photo:
Chuck Afflerbach
Adam’s Walk: Almost 300 students
from Peralta Elementary “walk for peace”
from the school to College Avenue in
memory of after-school instructor Adam
Williams. Williams was killed by would-be
robbers at Jack London Square April 24.
Donations to a memorial fund can be made
at: http://www.peraltaschool.org
Earth Day Cleanup at the
Rockridge Library
A
half-dozen volunteers spent more than
three hours on the 3rd Annual Earth
Day cleanup organized and led by Jennifer
Kaplan of Rockridge Home (5418 College
Avenue), sprucing up the library grounds.
The hard-working gardeners pruned dead
branches off trees, pulled weeds, and raked
and trimmed and groomed.
Amazing trash finds: a broken snorkel,
and a pair of slightly rusted 5-pound dumb-
bells, with a pair of 5-pound ankle weights.
Thank you, Jennifer and everyone.
Jennifer’s next cleanup of the library
grounds will take place over Labor Day
Weekend 2011.
— Adapted from FORL’s new web site:
http://www.friendsofrockridgelibrary.org
Record Earnings from Peralta Yard
Sale Benefit Two Local Schools
together for a greater good. We fight cyni-
cism with hard work and open hearts. It
is our community that will sustain us in
difficult times. We see the commitment
to the common good that characterizes
this community — more importantly, our
children see it too. They are growing up
knowing they have the ability to work for
positive change in the world.
We cannot list all the people who helped
to make this year’s sale a success, there are
too many. However, your hard work and
generosity has made a positive difference
in the lives of many beautiful children.
by Nicole Aruda and Heather Grillmeyer
We, this year’s LRPG Yard Sale Cap-
tains, thank all those generous people
who gave their time, goods and energy to
support another successful Lower Rockridge
Parents Group yard sale. This year, we did
more with less, earning a record $6,100 to
support both Peralta and Claremont schools.
The whipped cream came in the form of
being cleaned up and done by 2:30 p.m. –
two hours earlier than usual.
During this period of uncertainty that
faces our schools, we proved that ours is
a community that knows how to come
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May 7, 2011
12.

Earth Day at FROG Park
nesses that donated for the event:
■
■Rockridge Kids for stickers
■
■Starbucks for hot coffee
from page 1
■
■Katrina Rozelle Bakery for delicious
cookies, cupcakes and cheesecake
This year, FROG sponsored a Family Fest
with games, crafts, bubbles, face-painting,
planting, and other family fun, organized
by Carol Behr and Ronnie Spitzer. We
appreciate the game and activity supervi-
sion from Barney Smits and Joan Bletch,
and teen volunteers Daniel Orenstein,
Tyler Lee, and Ruby Spring, who handled
face-painting. Thanks to John Gomes for
his wonderful kid-friendly music, and to
Annette Floystrup for storytelling. Chabot
Elementary School lent us the hula hoops,
Daniel Brownstein from the Peralta Parent
Teacher Group and Chabot PTA President
Kelly Weigel helped with activity sugges-
tions, and Michelle Blakely connected us
with the East Bay Depot for Creative Re-Use.
Thanks to Howard Ferrier, Jimmy Pederson
and Gideon Ur for many planning, setup
and shut-down activities.
Thank you, business neighbors
We’re grateful to our neighborhood busi-
pictures, visit www.frogpark.org and view
our Flickr feed.
New FROG committee member Carol
Behr chaired the cleanup and Family
Fest this year, backed by other commit-
tee members. Carol said, “I’m in awe of
the seasoned FROG committee members,
Ronnie, Theresa, Howard, Jimmy, Jennifer,
and community volunteers who were vital
in the planning and the doing to make the
day. It was also great to see all the families
participating in the festivities.” A certified
project manager, Carol organized the hun-
dreds of tasks, materials, communications
and activities needed to make the event
smooth and effective.
Many thanks to neighbors
Our thanks to Mara Glendell who cre-
ated the festive graphics, with new
posters and flyers.
We are grateful to the dedicated captains
who supervised volunteers and led the many
projects accomplished on Saturday: Howard
Ferrier, Barney Smits, Jimmy Pedersen,
and Jennifer Cooper. Our thanks to Ronnie
Spitzer, who solicited donations of food and
beverages to keep our volunteers refreshed
throughout the morning and was our “go-
fer.” A special thanks to Rockridge’s Girl
Scout Troop #32619 and Cub Scout Troop
#274 for their hard work all morning. And
thanks to Barney Smits who built the new
“feed the frog game” that will re-appear at
future Frog Family Fests (the frog painting
was done by yours truly, re-awakening those
dormant arts-and-crafts genes).
■
■Grand Lake Ace Hardware for hand
shovels and weeding tools
■
■Bakesale Betty’s for their wonderful
banana bread
■
■Trader Joe’s for fruit and snack bars
■
■We are also grateful to local busi-
nesses and the Rockridge Library
for posting flyers and announcing
the events.
These Earth Day events show that
Rockridge and Temescal neighbors know
how to get things done.
Everyone is welcome to be part of plan-
ning and to participate in our fall cleanup
and festivities celebrating the restroom
opening this summer.
We’ll have a FROG planning meeting
in June, to be announced in The Rockridge
News and the Frog Park e-news.
Please let us know if you’d like to get
involved by emailing info@frogpark.org.
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 Saturday: 5 p.m.
 Sunday: 8 a.m.
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May 7, 2011

13.

Photos: Earth Day at FROG Park
Tools at the ready.
Herman Miller, left
and co-worker.
Ronnie Spitzer; Herman Miller, parks
supervisor; Carol Behr with Sara;
Tyler Lee; Theresa Nelson.
Brownie Troop 3261.
Barney Smits, left
above.
Jennifer Cooper
delivering  trash
bags.
Carrie Jacobs and
Ava, front; Eric and
Ericka McConnell,
and Haven and Flora.
Elizabeth Norris;
Clifton Pugh,
city of Oakland.
Everette, with
broom and rake.
Photos: D. Kinkead
Rockridge
Spread the News: Join the Rockridge News Team
Thanks to Sara Cluff for her many years of service as The Rockridge News Block Captain
for Broadway Terrace. Sara is no longer able to deliver
papers on her block. If you like to walk and you live on
or near the 5400 block of Broadway Terrace, let us know
that you would like to take over route 08B. This would
involve about 20 minutes of delivery to neighborhood
homes once a month. To volunteer, call Susan at 547-3855
or email her at smontauk@gmail.com.
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Will coordinate tutoring plan with your child’s
teacher. References. Reasonable rates. 510/420-
1898. Jean-rains@sbcglobal.net
Your Own Regulation
Golden West Pool Table
Plus: a table cover, multiple game accessories, a
three-bulb Tiffany-style hanging lamp & more.
Call Michael, 510/652-7140 in Rockridge.
Your Message Could Be Here
Your 36-word message is $22. (Phone number
counts as one word). Mail to: RN Classifieds,
4123 Broadway, PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94611.
June deadline is May 19, 2011.
For information: smontauk@gmail.com
Go Fishing
Two never-used Bay or off-shore fishing rods,
reels and full tackle box: NEVER USED. PLUS:
One 50-amp dock-to-boat electrical cord. Call
Michael in Rockridge, 510/652-7140.
Fitness Class for Women
50 and Over
Tuesdays, 8-9am, Lake Temescal Park. Certi-
fied personal trainers. Start your day off right.
Look better, feel better. 6 weeks $90. 4 weeks
$60. First class free. E-mail mary.mcqueen@
babybootcamp.com
Gardening Excellence
Serving Rockridge over 20 years. Friendly,
personalized maintenance, expert pruning
and care; garden restoration; make-over to
prepare for sale; consultations. Non-toxic,
earth-friendly practices. Reasonable rates,
excellent references, free estimates. Chris.
510/655-0157.
Home Repair Expert
Carpentry, remodeling. Doors and windows,
glass and locks, small electrical, plumbing jobs,
drywall, painting, fences, decks and other odd
jobs. Good rates. Rick 510/761-7168.
Spectacular Service
Housekeeping
We provide excellent housecleaning service
with greatest attention to detail. Local
recommendations. *Let us create free time
for you. * www.spectacularhousekleening.com,
510/228-5704. Free estimate.
Spring Special! Penelope’s
Aesthetics Skin Care Salon
25% off waxing and facial services. Come
visit my salon in a serene garden setting and
receive excellent, relaxing, relaxing services
with a gentle and personalized treatment.
www.penelopecalef.com. By appointment:
510/594-1552.
Upper Rockridge
Digital Artist
Needs free, or for nominal fee, 300 to 500 sq.
ft. accessible studio space – dry, very secure
garage or other OK. Mature, disabled woman
can trade graphic arts, book production,
photography, video. 510/295-9889.
Quality Gardening
Skilled Maintenance, clean-ups, aesthetic
pruning, real estate prep, irrigation, design
and installation. Local refs. Ecological-minded
since 1995, personal attention, free estimates.
Green’s Gardens: 510/593-3490.
Aesthetic Pruning
I specialize in pruning trees & shrubs under 20
feet tall. I work with trees to enhance their
natural beauty. Specialties: maples, camellias,
fruit trees, & focal points. Pruning instructor
at Merritt College. Bruce Thompson 510/428-
4964.
Love Your Surroundings?
Need help getting organized? Want to de-clutter
your home or office? Let me redesign your
environment in your style and create space
and harmony. Free Consultation. Laura Panica,
Organizational Consultant, 510/658-6582.
www.liferestyled.com
Electrical Repairs & Remodels
From doorbell repair to whole-house rewiring,
we’ve been doing electrical work in Oakland
and Berkeley for over 30 years. Sutorik &
Company, www.sutorikandco.com, lic#397149.
510/655-3677.
General Contractor
Craftsman Rehabs, remodels, seismic upgrades,
kitchens, built-ins, gates, windows, doors,
repairs, small jobs. Many local references fully
insured. See www.catconstruction.biz. Craig.
510/232-5978.
Henry C. Levy & Co.
E  xperience the Unique Difference...
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Certified Public Accountants
and Consultants
A Professional Corporation
■
• tax preparation • estate planning
• tax planning
• business valuation
5940 College Avenue, Suite C
Oakland, California 94618
510.652-1000   FAX 510.654-2363
Ortrun Niesar
510.326.2161
ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com
sothebysrealty.com
DRE #01161032
I look forward to serving you!


May 7, 2011

15.

E-mail Rockridge News Community Calendar items to: joellis1@hotmail.com, phone 653-3210 (after noon), or mail to:
Rockridge News Community Calendar, 4123 Broadway, PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94611. Deadline is the next to the last
Tuesday of the month.

Compiled by Jo Ellis

■
■Thurs., 6/2, 7pm. Publication Party for The Lazy
Gourmet with Robin Donovan and Juliana Gallin.
■
■Thurs., 6/9, 7pm. The Free Beer Tour: An evening
of pairing great books with great beer. Readings
by Josh Wilker, David Anthony and Pete Nelson
with beer tastings featuring the Lagunitas Brewing Co.
DIESEL, A Bookstore, 5433 College Ave. More info
(and other events and discussion groups): 653-9965
or events@dieselbookstore.com.
Rockridge Artist’s Open Studios
Liz Maxwell: paintings, prints and drawings. Sat. and
Sun., 6/4, 6/5 and 6/11, 6/12 from 11am to 6pm. 5808
Chabot Road. lizmaxwell@prodigy.net.
Ann Daniels: Cool Jools jewelry. Sat and Sun, 6/4 and
6/5 from 11am to 5pm. 5599 Lawton Ave. 290-2866 or
www.annscooljools.com/.
Info about other artists participating in ProArts Open
Studios 2011: www.proartsgallery.org.
Singers Wanted

Community Calendar

Councilmember Jane Brunner’s
Community Advisory Meeting
Informational Budget Meeting for District 1. Saturday
May 21, 10am to noon. Peralta Elementary School: 460
63rd St. (parking on Alcatraz, east of Telegraph). Info:
238-7001, or view Brunner Report at www.oaklandnet.
com (the site for all City-related information).
Neighborhood Crime Prevention
Council (NCPC)
Residents and business members of NCPC’s 12Y and
13X areas can voice their concerns about crime and
public safety. 2nd Thursday each month, 7pm. Rockridge
Library, upstairs meeting room, 5366 College Ave. (at
Manila). Info: chair@rockridgencpc.com.
Rockridge Branch Library
5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
FOR CHILDREN
■
■BOOK BUDDIES: Teen Volunteers, see Susy to
sign up for reading to and with children, ages 1 to 7,
this summer. Will take place on Saturdays, 2 – 4 pm,
from June 18 to Aug., 31.
More info: Susy, 597- 5017 or smoorhead@oak-
landlibrary.org.
FOR ADULTS
■
■Writers Support/Critique Group: All writers welcome.
Bring 15 copies of up to 5 pgs. (double-spaced, MS
margins) of any prose for on-site reading/discussion
(you’re also welcome to come empty-handed). Third
Saturday each month, 1 to 5pm. Sponsored by the
California Writers Club, Berkeley branch. (www.
berkeleywritersclub.org.) Info: 420-8775 or
Writefox@aol.com.
The Distaff Singers, the Bay Area’s longest-running
women’s choral group, is seeking new members. No
auditions necessary, just ability to match pitch. Practice
Tuesdays, 7:15 to 9pm at Bishop O’Dowd HS, 9500
Stearns Ave. A benefit concert in the fall supports local
K-12 music programs. Info: Carola Ingram, 547-1191 or
carolaingram@mac.com.
Peralta in Bloom Spring Festival
■
■Randy Rutherford, folksinger and storyteller reads
from new work in progress. Tues., 6/7, 6pm, upstairs.
■
■Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice and
referrals. First Tues. each month. 5 to 7pm (advance
sign-up starts 4:45pm). Note: Volunteer lawyer leaves
before 7pm if no more people are present.
ART EXHIBITS (call to confirm)
Gallery:
■
■Toddler Story Time: Every Saturday, 10:30am.
■
■Pre-School Story Time: 1st and 3rd Wed., 10:30am.
■
■Baby and Toddler Story Time: 1st and 3rd Wed.,
10:30am, upstairs.
Special Events:
Traditional cakewalk, carnival games, small petting
zoo, vegetable art projects (with edible dirt), and more.
Learn to reduce, reuse and recycle. Bring old clothes
for repair or quilting and visit the zero-waste center.
BBQ and other great food. May 14, from noon to 4pm,
Peralta Elementary School, 460 63rd St. PTA fundraiser
to support music, art, gardens and other enrichment
programs. Info: www.peraltaschool.org.
North Oakland Senior Center
■
■Tea Ceremony in Celebration of Asian and Pacific
Islanders Heritage Month: led by Miss Shin of Itsy
Bitsy. Tues., 5/17, 7pm. All ages welcome.
FOR TEENS
■
■May: Merritt College Portrait Class.
■
■June: Darril Tighe; abstract watercolor.
Lobby Display Case:
■
■May: Diane Jacobson: Glass works.
■
■Rockridge Ninjas Anime Club: Ages 13 and up,
watch and talk about anime (Japanese animation).
Second Tues. each month (5/10, 6/14), 5 to 6:30pm.
■
■June: Rockridge Teen Advisory Board display.
LIBRARY HOURS
Tues, 12:30 to 8pm.
Wed., Thurs. and Sat. 10am to 5:30pm.
Fri., 12 to 5:30pm.
Closed: Sundays and Mondays;
also Tues., 5/31 for Memorial Day.
Diesel Book/Poetry Readings
■
■Teen Advisory Board (ages 14-18): Help advise the
library how to better serve teens. Get community
service credit for school. Snacks provided. 1st
Saturday each month (6/4), 4 to 5pm.
Programs include: Arts/crafts; health insurance
counseling; dancing and exercise; trips, tours and
theater outings; Alzheimer’s Caregivers support groups,
computer classes and more.
■
■Free group tour of the Fox Theater and lunch:
Wed., 6/8.
Mon. – Fri., 8:30am to 4pm. 5714 Martin Luther King, Jr.
Way. Subscribe to “The North Oakland Senior Times”
for full schedule of classes/events, lunch menus, mem-
bership, and volunteer opportunities. Info: 597- 5085.
Volunteers Wanted
All events are FREE and open to the public.
■
■Mon., 5/9, 7:30pm. Amnesty International Meeting
(2nd Monday each month): All invited to exchange
ideas on action.
■
■Tues, 5/10, 7pm. Sloane Crosley: How Did You Get
This Number.
Design, Installation and Maintenance
Native Plant Gardens & Stonework
■
■Sun., 5/15, 3pm. Local cartoonist Paul Madonna (cre-
ator of All Over Coffee): Everything Is Its Own Reward.
■
■ProArts
Looking for Curatorial interns, Publicity interns and
Strategic Planning Partners to work with our extraordinary
team of artists. For details: info@proartsgallery.org
or www.proartsgallery.org.
■
■Sat., 5/21, 7pm. John Sayles: A Moment in the Sun.
■
■Sun., 5/22, 3pm. UC Berkeley Extension Writers
annual student reading event. Poetry, fiction and
non-fiction.
Andrea Hurd, Horticulturist and Stonemason
License #883905 h tel. 510.558.8429
www.mariposagardening.com
■
■Sun., 5/29, 3pm. Poetry Flash: local poets Juliana
Spahr and Genine Lentine.


May 7, 2011
16.

JUST LiSTEd
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INTERIOR-EXTERIOR LEAD
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Mon – Fri  9:30 – 6:00
Sat  9:30 – 5:00
CHIMES
PHARMACY
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Near Alcatraz
652-1990
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terrykulka@att.net
www.terrykulka.com
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Rockridge
Located on Market Hall’s Lower Level
Entry on Shafter Avenue
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Open 7 Days
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aboutface&body
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on one lot. Great Location, Sunny South Facing Yard,
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award Winning Peralta elementary School
www.6069canning.com
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Looking for a Contractor?
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Visit our Contractor Directory
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3190 college avenue
at alcatraz
berkeley, ca 94705
.
824 Ashby Avenue    Berkeley
Ph: 510.843.4832  Fax: 510.843.3840
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p 510.428.2600
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sun-tues 10:30-5:30
wed-sat 10:30-8:00
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PROVIDING

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SPECIALIZING IN

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Help!
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30
L A W T O N
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Lawton associates
Better Homes
Realty
5353 College Avenue
Oakland
510-547-5970 Ext. 55
ronkriss@jps.net
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R E A L   E S T A T E
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